RELIGIOUS STUDIES
What can I do with this degree?
AREAS
EMPLOYERS
STRATEGIES
LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRIES
Youth Ministries
Adult Ministries
Leisure Ministries
Counseling
Religious Education
Day Care, Children and Adult
Journalism
Public Relations
Television, Radio and Films
Publishing
Missionary Outreach
Music
SOCIAL SERVICES
Administration
Vocational Training
Industrial
Retail
Public Relations
Programming
Counseling
Advocacy
Camp Administration
HEALTH AND WELFARE MINISTRIES
Administration
Social Services
Residential Living
Religious Activities Programming
Chaplaincy
Counseling
Local churches
Religious organizations
Denominational boards
Get additional training or double major in specialized
areas.
Obtain certification for specialized areas.
Obtain Master's degree in Divinity or counseling.
Get experience in communications areas and
develop a portfolio.
Double major in music; take additional courses in
church music.
National and local nonprofit organizations including
United Way, Goodwill Industries, Salvation
Army, sheltered industries, etc.
Churches and religious organizations
Correctional institutions
Shelters
Nursing homes
Volunteer with local organizations for experience.
May need specialized training/certification for some
areas.
Obtain excellent interpersonal and oral and written
communication skills.
Youth organizations and camps including YMCA,
YWCA, Young Life, etc.
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Retirement homes
Assisted living homes
Children/youth homes
Double major or minor in Business, Social Work,
Human Services or special interest area.
Take courses related to special populations (children, youth, aging).
Volunteer time in related organizations.
Obtain advanced degrees for counseling and
chaplaincy.
(Religious Studies, Page 2)
AREAS
EMPLOYERS
STRATEGIES
CLERGY
Local churches
Religious organizations
Denominational boards and agencies
Clergy positions require denominational ordination
and usually a Master of Divinity.
Possess high moral and ethical standards.
Develop leadership ability and self discipline.
Obtain excellent written and verbal communication
skills.
Military
All branches of military service
Obtain ordination and two years' service in local
church; after acceptance into branch of
service, required to attend chaplaincy school.
Institutional
Hospitals
Homes for children, youth, senior citizens
Correctional institutions
Police and fire departments
CHAPLAINCY
MISSIONS
Church and Community Development
Education
Medical
Metropolitan Ministries
Community Centers
EDUCATION
Teaching
Research
Counseling
Administration/Staff
Chaplaincy
Religious Life Programming
Campus Ministry
Denominational boards or agencies
Missions boards
Local churches
Religious institutions
Obtain any needed advanced degrees, certification
or licensing for area of interest.
Seek related volunteer or work experience.
Religious-affiliated schools
Preparatory schools
Private, public or religious affiliated colleges and
universities
May require certification/licensure to teach.
Schools of theology
Ph.D. usually required for teaching, research and
administration in colleges and universities.
Complete Master of Divinity plus additional training
for campus ministry.
Requires a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. or Ph.D. in
area of specialization.
(Religious Studies, Page 3)
AREAS
BUSINESS
Administration/Management
Human Resources
Building Management
EMPLOYERS
Local churches
Religious bookstores
Religious publishers
Denominational boards/agencies
Seminaries
Religious affiliated schools
Denominational hospitals, homes, schools, boards
and agencies
Research
JOURNALISM
Writing
Editing
Public Relations
PUBLISHING
Writing
Editing
Public Relations
Advertising
Sales
Administration
Commercial Art
TELEVISION/RADIO/FILM
STRATEGIES
Double major or minor in Business.
Get related experience.
Dual degree in engineering helpful.
Develop research and writing skills.
Denominational boards/agencies
Interdenominational organizations
Local churches
May be freelance positions.
Take courses in English, social sciences and
journalism.
Obtain related experience.
Submit articles for publication for religious and
nonreligious papers.
Denominational publishing houses of books and
magazines
Secular publishing houses
Denominational area and regional offices
Take courses to develop excellent writing and
editing skills.
Learn desktop publishing techniques.
Develop artistic talent.
Take courses or double major in Graphic Design/
Illustration.
Local churches
Denominational boards/agencies
Secular radio, television and film industry
Positions limited within churches.
Obtain specialized technical training, double major
or minor in Broadcasting.
Get related work experience.
Denominational groups including:
Roman Catholic
Episcopal, and
Greek Orthodox
Apply to religious order for admittance.
Requires self-discipline.
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES
(Religious Studies, Page 4)
GENERAL INFORMATION
• People interested in religious vs. secular work
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
possess deep faith, want more than filling
own personal needs and want to make a
difference.
Bachelor's degree provides broad background
for careers in many fields including many
religious-affiliated organizations.
An undergraduate degree prepares for professional and graduate study in business, law,
medicine, counseling, higher education and
other fields.
Dual majors required for some specialized
areas.
Master of Divinity required for most clergy
positions, plus denominational ordination.
Obtain general knowledge of practices, procedures, guidelines and doctrine of one's faith.
Possess understanding of human spiritual and
social needs.
Ph.D. required for college/university/seminary
teaching, research and administration.
Participation in local church activities helpful,
Bible study, etc.
Obtain part-time, summer, internship, volunteer
experience in religious institution or bookstore, or other related activity in working with
and helping people.
Develop counseling and communication skills
due to the nature of the field and working
with people.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1996)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer